Pros / Cons: Leaving a Quick-Release Plate on Camera

CDP · 08-22-2007, 09:20 PM

Finally bit the bullet and bought a good tripod. It's the Manfrotto 3021BPro with a 322RC2 Ball Head. I plan on using the tripod much more than I have in the past. I'm concerned that taking the QR plate on and off a lot may, over time, mangle the threads on the camera. Any problems with just leaving the plate on the camera permanently?

macdaddy · 08-22-2007, 09:31 PM

I have a Really Right Stuff plate mounted on my K10D and it's been there for over 4 months with no problems. Several other cameras (and brands) I've owned in the past I have done the same without ever having any real issues. It's very handy when you get a situation where you want to take a good shot with a tripod, but you need to compose and take it quickly. Leave it on if it suits you!
Rob W

**Mallee Boy** · 08-22-2007, 10:59 PM

I leave a manfrotto plate on both the DS & DL.
No problems.

pixelpruner · 08-23-2007, 01:58 AM

I'd have thought trying to put it on and take it off quickly all the time would be more likely to mangle the thread. If I couldn't leave it on my camera, it wouldn't be very quick!

khardur · 08-23-2007, 02:24 AM

never thought about the pros and cons of taking a QR plate on and off. (no sarcasm intended) what's the point of having a QR plate if you don't leave it on the camera?

I've had QR plates mounted to my cameras since I got my good tripod back in 2000, and the only reason I've ever take them off was once when I wasn't taking the tripod along to a family outing.

stewart_photo · 08-23-2007, 04:53 AM

Originally posted by CDP

(snip) I'm concerned that taking the QR plate on and off a lot may, over time, mangle the threads on the camera.

Tripod mounts on cameras are pretty darn sturdy. Indeed, I've never seen one worn out from just normal use, even on really old cameras. Instead, I suspect one would have to physically abuse the mount, such as really tightening down the tripod bolt with a wrench, to actually mangle the threads.

Quote:

Any problems with just leaving the plate on the camera permanently?

Absolutely none. Just a matter of personal preference. In my case, I only use a tripod about 20% of the time, with no real need to keep the quick release installed for the remaining 80%. Therefore, I remove it between tripod sessions. During those tripod sessions, the release is used to quickly alternate between the tripod and hand-holding the camera. But, again, all that is entirely my personal preference, not due to some cause for you to worry about.

stewart

davek · 08-23-2007, 05:49 AM

I was on holidays a couple of years ago, travelling with 2 film bodies. We stopped at some caves, and I wanted to shoot with high speed film so I quickly removed my Manfrotto Tripod QR plate from one body and moved it to the other.

While waiting for the tour to start, I put the camera and flash on the tripod and leaned back to relax. That's when the camera, lens and flash teetered and fell off the tripod. The flash smashed into many pieces, camera & lens ok.

In my haste, I had put the QR plate on backwards.

A second plate was purchased at the next opportunity, and it's never been off my cameras since.

dk

ZaphodB · 08-23-2007, 08:05 AM

Cons: It's slightly more difficult to fit the camera in the bag. That's it. Nothing else I can think of.

Alvin · 08-23-2007, 08:20 AM

I have a Velbon tripod for my K100D and leave the QR plate on it. My only problem is fitting my camera in my bag - minor nuisance, but having the ability to put the camera back on the tripod right away when needed pays its dividends.

CDP · 08-23-2007, 01:23 PM

OK! What I was most concerned about was hearing horror stories of the camera bottom getting bent or distorted by the plate. All is warm and fuzzy now. Thanks!

roy · 08-23-2007, 03:06 PM

mines on all the time. i keep the camera when not in use on the collapsed tripod. it works for me. i do however have some small cracks in the bottom of my DS. they don't bother me.

Entropy · 08-23-2007, 03:46 PM

Originally posted by ZaphodB

Cons: It's slightly more difficult to fit the camera in the bag. That's it. Nothing else I can think of.

Cons: Unless you invest heavily in a "system" with compatible QR plates ($$$$), you often wind up switch QRs anyway.
Also bad for hikers in some ways, as many QR systems add significant bulk/weight to whatever camera support system they have. For example, I almost never leave a QR plate on my camera any more because putting a QR mount on my frequently-used Leki Sierra would destroy its balance and make it an AWFUL trekking pole.

Tom M · 08-24-2007, 09:30 AM

Pros:

* You can quickly attach your camera to the tripod.

** I can't think of any others

Cons:

* Takes up extra space in case

* Camera may not sit properly on flat surface

* Adds extra weight

* Effects balance/comfort possibly

* The screw might weld itself in the camera from never being removed

* Chicks don't like it.

shutterdrone · 08-24-2007, 11:36 AM

I find leaving the QR plate on causes the camera to sit funny and the plate to dig into my side when I'm walking with the camera. I use a longer strap, and throw it over my neck and shoulder such that the camera sits just above my right hip. This leaves me a lot of room for motion without hurting the camera and keeps it in a very comfortable position - but the QR plate digs into my hip and the camera won't sit lens down with it on (because it digs in and catches -- keeping the lens facing out on me).

!c

Mechan1k · 08-29-2007, 06:22 AM

Originally posted by Alvin

I have a Velbon tripod for my K100D and leave the QR plate on it. My only problem is fitting my camera in my bag - minor nuisance, but having the ability to put the camera back on the tripod right away when needed pays its dividends.

I leave my Velbon tripod QR plate on my K10D as well ... although my bag allows for the internal wall to move slightly ... slotting my camera (with plate) in with no issue.

I don't even realise I have the plate on the camera when hand holding either.

So i just leave it on all of the time now ... no cons at all here for me.

08-22-2007, 09:20 PM	#1
CDP Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 58	Pros / Cons: Leaving a Quick-Release Plate on Camera Finally bit the bullet and bought a good tripod. It's the Manfrotto 3021BPro with a 322RC2 Ball Head. I plan on using the tripod much more than I have in the past. I'm concerned that taking the QR plate on and off a lot may, over time, mangle the threads on the camera. Any problems with just leaving the plate on the camera permanently?

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08-22-2007, 09:31 PM	#2
macdaddy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dahlonega, GA Photos: Gallery Posts: 141	I have a Really Right Stuff plate mounted on my K10D and it's been there for over 4 months with no problems. Several other cameras (and brands) I've owned in the past I have done the same without ever having any real issues. It's very handy when you get a situation where you want to take a good shot with a tripod, but you need to compose and take it quickly. Leave it on if it suits you! Rob W

08-22-2007, 10:59 PM	#3
Mallee Boy Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,904	I leave a manfrotto plate on both the DS & DL. No problems.

08-23-2007, 01:58 AM	#4
pixelpruner Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Leeds, NE UK Posts: 220	I'd have thought trying to put it on and take it off quickly all the time would be more likely to mangle the thread. If I couldn't leave it on my camera, it wouldn't be very quick!

08-23-2007, 02:24 AM	#5
khardur Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Massachusetts Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,560	never thought about the pros and cons of taking a QR plate on and off. (no sarcasm intended) what's the point of having a QR plate if you don't leave it on the camera? I've had QR plates mounted to my cameras since I got my good tripod back in 2000, and the only reason I've ever take them off was once when I wasn't taking the tripod along to a family outing.

08-23-2007, 04:53 AM	#6
stewart_photo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 1,864	Originally posted by CDP (snip) I'm concerned that taking the QR plate on and off a lot may, over time, mangle the threads on the camera. Tripod mounts on cameras are pretty darn sturdy. Indeed, I've never seen one worn out from just normal use, even on really old cameras. Instead, I suspect one would have to physically abuse the mount, such as really tightening down the tripod bolt with a wrench, to actually mangle the threads. Quote: Any problems with just leaving the plate on the camera permanently? Absolutely none. Just a matter of personal preference. In my case, I only use a tripod about 20% of the time, with no real need to keep the quick release installed for the remaining 80%. Therefore, I remove it between tripod sessions. During those tripod sessions, the release is used to quickly alternate between the tripod and hand-holding the camera. But, again, all that is entirely my personal preference, not due to some cause for you to worry about. stewart

08-23-2007, 05:49 AM	#7
davek Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Elmira, On, Canada Posts: 461	I was on holidays a couple of years ago, travelling with 2 film bodies. We stopped at some caves, and I wanted to shoot with high speed film so I quickly removed my Manfrotto Tripod QR plate from one body and moved it to the other. While waiting for the tour to start, I put the camera and flash on the tripod and leaned back to relax. That's when the camera, lens and flash teetered and fell off the tripod. The flash smashed into many pieces, camera & lens ok. In my haste, I had put the QR plate on backwards. A second plate was purchased at the next opportunity, and it's never been off my cameras since. dk

08-23-2007, 08:05 AM	#8
ZaphodB Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 264	Cons: It's slightly more difficult to fit the camera in the bag. That's it. Nothing else I can think of.

08-23-2007, 08:20 AM	#9
Alvin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,517	I have a Velbon tripod for my K100D and leave the QR plate on it. My only problem is fitting my camera in my bag - minor nuisance, but having the ability to put the camera back on the tripod right away when needed pays its dividends.

08-23-2007, 01:23 PM	#10
CDP Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 58 Original Poster	OK! What I was most concerned about was hearing horror stories of the camera bottom getting bent or distorted by the plate. All is warm and fuzzy now. Thanks!

08-23-2007, 03:06 PM	#11
roy Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: D/FW area, Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,710	mines on all the time. i keep the camera when not in use on the collapsed tripod. it works for me. i do however have some small cracks in the bottom of my DS. they don't bother me.

08-23-2007, 03:46 PM	#12
Entropy Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Owego, NY Posts: 976	Originally posted by ZaphodB Cons: It's slightly more difficult to fit the camera in the bag. That's it. Nothing else I can think of. Cons: Unless you invest heavily in a "system" with compatible QR plates ($$$$), you often wind up switch QRs anyway. Also bad for hikers in some ways, as many QR systems add significant bulk/weight to whatever camera support system they have. For example, I almost never leave a QR plate on my camera any more because putting a QR mount on my frequently-used Leki Sierra would destroy its balance and make it an AWFUL trekking pole.

08-24-2007, 09:30 AM	#13
Tom M Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lincoln Park, NJ Photos: Gallery Posts: 780	Pros: * You can quickly attach your camera to the tripod. ** I can't think of any others Cons: * Takes up extra space in case * Camera may not sit properly on flat surface * Adds extra weight * Effects balance/comfort possibly * The screw might weld itself in the camera from never being removed * Chicks don't like it.

08-24-2007, 11:36 AM	#14
shutterdrone Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 75	I find leaving the QR plate on causes the camera to sit funny and the plate to dig into my side when I'm walking with the camera. I use a longer strap, and throw it over my neck and shoulder such that the camera sits just above my right hip. This leaves me a lot of room for motion without hurting the camera and keeps it in a very comfortable position - but the QR plate digs into my hip and the camera won't sit lens down with it on (because it digs in and catches -- keeping the lens facing out on me). !c

08-29-2007, 06:22 AM	#15
Mechan1k Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,891	Originally posted by Alvin I have a Velbon tripod for my K100D and leave the QR plate on it. My only problem is fitting my camera in my bag - minor nuisance, but having the ability to put the camera back on the tripod right away when needed pays its dividends. I leave my Velbon tripod QR plate on my K10D as well ... although my bag allows for the internal wall to move slightly ... slotting my camera (with plate) in with no issue. I don't even realise I have the plate on the camera when hand holding either. So i just leave it on all of the time now ... no cons at all here for me.